Anwar Siswadi (Kontributor), Jakarta – Heavy rains in Bandung from the afternoon to the evening of Wednesday, November 20, caused the Citarum River and several other rivers to overflow. As a result, residents' houses in Dayeuh Kolot and Bojongsoang districts were flooded up to 1 meter deep.
"As a result of heavy rains in Bandung city and regency, the Citarum River overflowed," said the head of the Bandung Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Uka Suska Puji Utama, when confirmed by Tempo on Thursday morning, November 21.
As of 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, the houses of residents in Bojongsoang district were flooded. In some neighborhoods in Cijagra village, houses were inundated with flood water with the water level between 80-100 centimeters, while in Cigebar village, the flood water reached 30-70 centimeters.
The area most affected by the flood was Dayeuh Kolot Regency. The Bandung Regency BPBD recorded that 12 villages in Dayeuh Kolot regency were flooded with water reaching a height of 10 to 100 centimeters or 1 meter. Meanwhile, seven villages in Citeureup regency were flooded with water levels ranging from 10 to 80 centimeters.
The Dayeuh Kolot highway was inundated with 20 to 50 centimeters of water. Video footage taken by locals showed how the flood had cut off access to transportation. Only a few vehicles, including trucks, cars, and horse-drawn carriages, dared to cross the floodwaters. Two residents suffered strokes and an elderly resident was evacuated to a refugee camp, Suska added.
In addition to the Citarum River, several other rivers overflowed, including the Cikapundung, Cipalasari, and Cigede Rivers, according to the Bandung Regency BPBD. The BPBD conducted on-site monitoring, evacuation, data collection, and coordination with various parties. It also provided ready-to-eat meals, blankets, basic necessities, and mattresses to flood-affected residents.